Freshly Picked

On this episode of  Freshly Picked , we delve into essential gardening tips and techniques to help you prepare for the upcoming season. Host Claude Nash welcomes Dr. Eddie Smith, a horticulture expert and Mississippi State University Extension Agent, to discuss how to care for your holiday plants and get your garden ready for spring. Dr. Smith shares his insights on rejuvenating poinsettias,...

On this episode of  Freshly Picked , we explore how horticulture serves as both a science and an art to enrich Mississippi agriculture. Host Claude Nash welcomes two distinguished guests who are leading the way in education and innovation: Dr. Jeff Wilson, assistant horticulture professor and State Master Gardener Coordinator at Mississippi State University, and Bill Rivers, owner of Rivers N...

On this episode of  Freshly Picked , we’re exploring the heart of horticulture—the practice of cultivating plants for food, beauty, and community. Host Claude Nash sits down with two experts in the field: Stephen Porter, General Manager of Williamson Nursery in Summit, MS, and Larry Stephenson of Southern Cultured Orchards and Nursery in Independence, MS. Stephen and Larry discuss their journ...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re diving deep into the world of honey and the incredible process that takes it from flower to hive and finally to your table. Host Claude Nash is joined by two seasoned guests: Jeff Harris, a beekeeping extension specialist at Mississippi State University with over 53 years of experience, and Austin Smith of Smith’s Honey Farm in Petal, Mississippi, a family...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re diving into the world of honey—Mississippi’s golden specialty crop and a labor of love for local beekeepers. Host Claude Nash welcomes two special guests: Steven Coy of Coy Bee Company and Kip Isonhood of Yazoo Honey and Bee Farm. Steven and Kip share their fascinating journeys into the world of beekeeping, from family traditions to running thriving honey...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re cracking into the story of pecans—Mississippi’s beloved specialty crop and a cornerstone of Southern tradition. Host Claude Nash welcomes two special guests: Bill Duke, Vice President of Duke Pecan Company, and Art Sanders, owner of Lindy’s Pecans. Together, they share their unique journeys in the pecan industry—from Bill’s generational family business to...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re diving into the world of pecans—North America’s only native nut and a key player in Mississippi’s agricultural scene. Host Claude Nash is joined by Max Draughn, owner of Pecan Hill Farms and former President of the Mississippi Pecan Growers Association. From the challenges of weathering tough seasons to the growing interest in pecan farming, Max shares his...

On this episode of  Freshly Picked , host Claude Nash explores how Mississippi’s specialty crops and traditions help us step into the New Year with purpose and flavor. Joining the conversation are two distinguished guests: award-winning chef Nick Wallace of Nick Wallace Culinary and Dr. Elizabeth Canales of the Mississippi State University Extension Program. Nick shares how his southern roots...

This time on  Freshly Picked , host Claude Nash takes a closer look at the multigenerational farms and hardworking families that bring fresh, seasonal produce to Mississippi’s holiday tables. Joining the conversation are two incredible guests: Allen Eubanks of Eubanks Produce and Charlie’s U-Pick in Lucedale, and Rick Smith of Clinton’s Fresh Grown Farms. Allen shares the inspiring history of...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re celebrating National Poinsettia Day with a deep dive into one of the holiday season’s most iconic flowers. Host Claude Nash is joined by Teresa Gammel of Vesely’s Nursery in Sumrall, MS—a family-run nursery with a 46-year legacy in Mississippi’s Pinebelt. Together, they explore the rich history of Vesely’s Nursery, the role of poinsettias in holiday tradit...

This time on  Freshly Picked , we’re exploring the seed-to-table journey of Mississippi’s specialty crops and the importance of buying local. Our host, Claude Nash, is joined by two incredible guests: Jonathan McCraw, manager of the Mississippi Farmers Market in Jackson, MS, and Billy Hutto, owner of Hutto’s Home and Garden, a beloved Jackson establishment since 1968. This discussion takes a...

This time on Freshly Picked, the Christmas spirit gets diverse as our wonderful guests talk about how to use Christmas trees in all sorts of ways. Our host Claude Nash is joined by our knock-out guests: Brittany and Aaron Anderson from Talson Farms in Laurel, MS, and Teri Wyly from La Terre Farms in Kiln, MS.  This discussion follows the journey of both farms down the scenic route to owning t...

On this episode of Freshly Picked, Christmas tree specialists teach us everything there is to know about how to pick one out and where the business is headed. Our host, Claude Nash, has an evergreen conversation with our amazing guests: Adam and Ali Carnes of Carnes Farms and Mike Buchart, the president of the Southern Christmas Tree Association.  Their conversation delves into the business o...

This time on  Freshly Picked,  our local Mississippi chefs take us on a journey of holiday cuisine. The holidays wouldn't be the holidays without scrumptious food and loved ones to enjoy it with. Our wonderful host Claude Nash has a food-filled conversation with two amazing guests: Nick Wallace, owner of Nick Wallace Culinary and voted best Chef of Mississippi in 2020, and Tyler Alford,...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , we’re talking about the journey of the Mississippi farmer. From family traditions or business ventures, our Mississippi farmers are the lifeblood of Mississippi. Host Claude Nash is joined by two special guests: Wendy Ellis, the owner of Red Bird Farms in Kosciusko, MS, and Michael May of Lazy Acres in Chunky, MS. During this conversation, our guests dive...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , host Claude Nash sits down with two special guests: Mississippi’s Agriculture Commissioner Andy Gipson and Leigh Bailey of Salad Days Produce. Together, they explore the importance of specialty crops like blueberries, native plants, and hydroponic lettuce in Mississippi’s agricultural landscape. Commissioner Gipson shares how the Department of Agriculture...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , we’re taking a deep dive into the farm-to-table journey of Mississippi's specialty crops, focusing on how these fall favorites—sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and more—go from seed to fork. Host Claude Nash is joined by two special guests: Guillermo "Billy" Salinas of Food Network’s  Halloween Baking Championship  and owner of Just Vanilla Bake Shop, a...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , we’re taking a closer look at Mississippi’s specialty crops and the delicious value-added products they inspire! Host Claude Nash is joined by two expert guests: Jan Cook-Houston from Sweet Potato Sweets in Vardaman, and Kirk Hutchinson from Power of the Almond Bakery in Starkville. Our guests dive into their unique businesses, sharing stories about how th...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , we explore the vibrant world of Mississippi agritourism—a flourishing industry that blends agriculture with tourism to create unforgettable farm experiences. From pumpkin patches to Christmas tree farms and sweet potato festivals, agritourism invites families to the countryside for a hands-on taste of farm life. Host Claude Nash is joined by three special...

In this episode of  Freshly Picked , we’re celebrating the fall season by digging into Mississippi’s rich tradition of sweet potato and pumpkin farming! Host Claude Nash is joined by three seasoned farmers: Sylvia Clark of Clark Farms and The Tater Shed, Caleb Englert of Englert Farms and President of the Mississippi Sweet Potato Council, and Aaron Stovall of Dry Bottom Farms & Nursery. A...

Join us in Episode 4 of  Freshly Picked  as we elevate your culinary game! In this episode, we chat with Chef Hunter Evans of Elvie's and Don Kazery, Jr. from Kazery Farms in Jackson, MS. Discover how specialty herbs, fruits veggies, and even edible flowers journey from farm to table, creating exquisite dishes and fresh flavors.  Tune in, savor the insights, and explore the synergy...

Join us in Episode 3 of  Freshly Picked  as we dive into the fascinating world of specialty herbs! In this episode, we explore the unique realm of specialty crops with Nan Moak of Dandelion and Crow, Nick Hartley from Compass Point Blend, and Caroline Warner of CW Body Organics, Herbal Apothecary. Discover how these herbal experts cultivate and craft exceptional herbs into vibrant blends...

Join us in Episode 2 of  Freshly Picked  as we delve into the world of U-Pick farms, a true celebration of fresh, hands-on harvests! In this episode, we chat with Dana Nowell from Twelve2 Farm, Shunda Garner of Geneva Springs Farm, and Jenni Campbell of Taylor Flower Patch about the joys and challenges of running U-Pick farms. From vibrant fruits to stunning flowers, discover the stories...

Join Claude Nash, Editor of the Mississippi Market Bulletin, in this week’s discussion of lovely, fresh-cut flowers — the specialty of the day. In this Freshly Picked episode, Claude has lively conversations with Donna Yowell from Flower Growers of Mississippi and Paige Manning, Director of Marketing Development at MDAC about the blossoming beauties we call flowers.  Listen in, and discover w...

Freshly Picked will be all around specialty crops: those highly cultivated fruits, nuts, trees, plants, and flowers we grow in Mississippi. We want to let folks know, through engaging interviews with growers, chefs, horticulturalists, and goods makers that specialty crops are worth seeking out. Each 30-minute Freshly Picked podcast episode will highlight a particular specialty topic, and will cont...